The Case of the Plowed Plow-Driver
By: Jonathan Hermann
It was noon, and the blustery wind riffled my overcoat like a sloppy pickpocket. I was marching the city streets after a doctor’s appointment when I came across a line of people that extended around the corner. Obviously something big was taking place, the likes of which drew a diverse range of local citizenry.
Ever since that time I passed on seeing “Showgirls” at the cinema, I swore to myself that I would never miss out on a defining cultural event again. So I got into the snail-paced line and an hour later turned the corner to be greeted with the destination: an Irish pub. Sometimes St. Patrick’s Day sneaks up on you, which is odd considering how boisterously people celebrate it.
I quickly scanned my datebook, which was blanker than the look on my face when my doctor explained why collagen injections would not make my biceps puff up. Without any place to be, I spotted the doorman a tenner, pushed my way to the bar and ordered a Smithwicks.
As the pint disappeared, I noticed a strange bowl of green stones on the bar. I turned to the guy sitting beside me—an older gent with a ruddy complexion and Guinness breath—and said, “Are those real stones from Ireland?”
“No,” he said, “they’re sham rocks.”
Apparently I sat next to a comedian. “Ace Insura, claims detective,” I said, hand extended.
“Paddy O’Furniture, wise guy. Well, used to think I was wise, but an insurance company is making me question everything now.”
“Spill it.”
He bottomed out his glass and said, “Can’t spill it—empty. Anyway, me detached snow plow was sitting in me yard one day, minding its own business, when a wind-blown tree rudely fell and damaged it. I carry BAP collision and comprehensive coverage on the truck I attach the plow to during the winter months—in fact, the plow is calculated into the cost new of the vehicle. Yet the insurance company denied me claim, saying the plow should have had a floater on it while it was detached from the truck.”
“On what grounds?”
“They said that the item must be permanently attached not to be considered mobile equipment. Now I’m afraid to take me engine out to rebuild it, because it wouldn’t be uninsured as soon as it left the truck.”
“The only thing you should be worried about, Paddy, is buying me a beer after I help you out.”
How was Ace going to earn that ale? Click here to check your solution against Ace’s.
Jonathan Hermann (hermannism@gmail.com) is an IA contributing editor.
Ever since that time I passed on seeing “Showgirls” at the cinema, I swore to myself that I would never miss out on a defining cultural event again. So I got into the snail-paced line and an hour later turned the corner to be greeted with the destination: an Irish pub. Sometimes St. Patrick’s Day sneaks up on you, which is odd considering how boisterously people celebrate it.
I quickly scanned my datebook, which was blanker than the look on my face when my doctor explained why collagen injections would not make my biceps puff up. Without any place to be, I spotted the doorman a tenner, pushed my way to the bar and ordered a Smithwicks.
As the pint disappeared, I noticed a strange bowl of green stones on the bar. I turned to the guy sitting beside me—an older gent with a ruddy complexion and Guinness breath—and said, “Are those real stones from Ireland?”
“No,” he said, “they’re sham rocks.”
Apparently I sat next to a comedian. “Ace Insura, claims detective,” I said, hand extended.
“Paddy O’Furniture, wise guy. Well, used to think I was wise, but an insurance company is making me question everything now.”
“Spill it.”
He bottomed out his glass and said, “Can’t spill it—empty. Anyway, me detached snow plow was sitting in me yard one day, minding its own business, when a wind-blown tree rudely fell and damaged it. I carry BAP collision and comprehensive coverage on the truck I attach the plow to during the winter months—in fact, the plow is calculated into the cost new of the vehicle. Yet the insurance company denied me claim, saying the plow should have had a floater on it while it was detached from the truck.”
“On what grounds?”
“They said that the item must be permanently attached not to be considered mobile equipment. Now I’m afraid to take me engine out to rebuild it, because it wouldn’t be uninsured as soon as it left the truck.”
“The only thing you should be worried about, Paddy, is buying me a beer after I help you out.”
How was Ace going to earn that ale? Click here to check your solution against Ace’s.
Jonathan Hermann (hermannism@gmail.com) is an IA contributing editor.
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